28 MXG, MSG strengths lead to LSET pass

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Stevens
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (ACCNS) --  The Air Combat Command Logistics Standardization Evaluation Team wrapped up a week-long inspection of the 28th Maintenance and Mission Support Groups' logistical functions Jan. 16 during an out-brief conducted at wing headquarters.

The commanders of both groups praised the members of their units for their hard work in preparing for the LSET visit.

"I am proud of the entire 28 MXG team," said Col. Thomas Fitch, 28 MXG commander. "The LSET showed our great young men and women know how to do their jobs according to Air Force directives; they are some of the hardest working professionals I have known in my career."

"The 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron has tirelessly worked to prepare for the LSET and improve support to the 28th Bomb Wing mission," said Col. Michael Yuill, 28 MSG commander. "The results - a 96 percent pass rate, two honorable mentions, and 36 honor role recipients - proved their outstanding performance. This LSET merely validated what we already knew: the 28 LRS is an exceptional unit committed to excellence and dedicated to our mission."

The 28 LRS received honorable mentions for two of its programs - their On-the-Job Training Management Software and Database, as well as their Outbound Cargo Receipt Progress. In addition, the team recognized personnel from all inspected units who were significant in the success of the evaluation. These people were listed on the team's "Honor Roll." In all, 59 members were chosen from the 28 MXG and 36 from 28 MSG.

During LSET evaluations, teams focus on areas including, but not limited to, maintenance and munitions tactics, techniques and procedures, process innovations, analysis and reporting, scheduling effectiveness, foreign object damage prevention, equipment management, hazardous materials programs, and warehouse practices. Most areas received solid marks with only minor discrepancies noted.

After all of the inspections were completed, 549 in total for 28 MXG and 139 for 28 LRS, all units passed successfully. The inspectors lauded both the 28th Munitions Squadron and 28 LRS for their performances during the inspection.

The 28 MUNS achieved the inspectors' praise by keeping the 28 MXG commander's maintenance expectations and standards in the forefront, said Maj. Timothy Howard, 28 MUNS commander. Tactically, our leadership, maintenance focus and professionalism made the difference. Special thanks to Tech. Sgt's. John Baldwin and Richard Northrup, of Quality Assurance, whose daily inspections and feedback with our shop chiefs solidify our strong maintenance practices.

"I couldn't be prouder of the men and women of the 28 LRS," said Jon Huber, 28 LRS logistics manager. "It took every person to review the more than 1,500 questions and conduct over 800 task evaluations in preparation for the visit - they did it with outstanding results."

Colonel Fitch was very impressed with the results, but most so regarding those of the safety evaluations.

"We [28 MXG] slashed the number of safety violations the team saw when they were here in 2006, which tells me we are seeing a cultural shift toward excellence through discipline," he said.

Although the results were primarily successful, the inspection did note areas of improvement.

"We can always improve on our attention to detail, and the LSET showed us where we need to apply effort to ensure we are not just 'Satisfactory' when the Unit Compliance Inspection Team visits in April, but that we excel," Colonel Fitch said. "We are here to provide safe, reliable aircraft to train crews for [today's war] and contingencies wherever they may arise. Our aircraft availability must improve in order to accomplish that mission, and I'm confident the professionals across the 28 MXG have what it takes to make that happen."